If you are considering working in the healthcare field, you could easily become an EKG tech.
Lets have a look at the requirements for the state of Georgia.
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EKG Tech Job Description and Duties in Georgia
EKG techs perform in the healthcare sector.
They usually helping doctors in diagnosing and treating heart and blood vessels related problems.
There are numerous duties you will need to finish every day.
Some of them are:
- Evaluating a patient and explaining procedures
- Verify patients identity
- Performing EKG
- Point of care testing
- Preparing test results for the doctor
- Maintaining your area and equipment
EKG Tech Job Requirements in Georgia
You probably want to know how you can start working as an EKG tech.
In Georgia, you don’t have to meet any requirements to get a job in the field.
However, most employers do ask for some certification and you will have higher chances to be paid better.
There is some paperwork you need to submit when applying for jobs, which is:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Proof you’re in good health
- An EKG technician certification
- Some form of ID
You’ll additionally need to prove you:
- Are detail-oriented
- Have good communication skills
EKG Technician Education in Georgia
The first step you need to take is finding the right training program to develop your skills.
The training programs for EKG techs usually last for 4 months and end in a diploma.
While Georgia doesn’t have any requirements for students wanting to enroll in a program, schools do.
Some of these requirements include the following:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Over The Age Of 18
- Clean Background Check (No Felonies)
- Negative Hepatitis Test
- Negative TB Test
- Immunization Records
- Some schools may accept students as young as 16, but this needs to be checked with each school.
In order to complete your daily duties, you have to develop certain job-related skills.
For that, you need to attend classes such as:
- Heart anatomy
- Medical disease processes
- Medical terminology
- Electrocardiography
- Echocardiography
- Ethics
- Anatomy of the chest wall for proper lead placement
- Pacemakers
While in class, you will not only attend theory classes but also practice.
Here is a list of schools in Georgia that you can check out.
Top 30 Schools in Georgia
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| American Red Cross | 9851 Commerce Way Douglasville, GA 30135 |
| Ashona Medical Institute | 1315 Milstead Road Northeast Conyers, GA 30012 |
| Atlanta Career Institute | 5380 Peachtree Industrial Blvd #120, Norcross, GA 30071 |
| Center for Progressive Training | 1805 Highway 138 Southwest Riverdale, GA 30296 |
| Central Georgia Technical College | 3300 Macon Tech Drive Macon, GA 31206 |
| Clinical Skills Training Center | 2459 Roosevelt Highway c9 College Park, GA 30337 |
| Cobb CNA School | 5590 Mableton Parkway Southwest Suite 166 Mableton, GA 30126 |
| College of Continuing and Professional Education at KSU | 3333 Busbee Drive Northwest Kennesaw, GA 30144 |
| Cumberland Medical Institute | 3411 Austell Road Southwest #100 Marietta, GA 30008 |
| Emory University Hospital Midtown | 550 Peachtree Street Northeast Atlanta, GA 30308 |
| FAKS Allied Health Education Center | 5530 Old National Hwy, Atlanta, GA 30349 |
| Fayette Medical Institute | 101 Beckett Lane Fayetteville, GA 30214 |
| Georgia Medical Institute | 6431 Tara Boulevard Jonesboro, GA 30236 |
| Health Tech of Georgia | 1867 Watson Boulevard Warner Robins, GA 31093 |
| Kennesaw State University | 1000 Chastain Rd NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144 |
| Kennesaw State University College of Professional Education | 3333 Busbee Dr NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144 |
| Lanier Technical College | 2535 Lanier Tech Drive Gainesville, GA 30507 |
| Life Solutions for Health | 4798 Flat Shoals Parkway Decatur, GA 30034 |
| Malik College | 2502 Chamblee Tucker Road #200 Chamblee, GA 30341 |
| Medical Institute Of Northeast GA | 1215 C Tuscany Drive Braselton, GA 30517 |
| New Horizons Medical Institute | 138 Park Avenue #200 Winder, GA 30680 |
| Northside Hospital Atlanta | 1000 Johnson Ferry Road Northeast Atlanta, GA 30342 |
| Rockdale Career Academy | 1064 Culpepper Drive Southwest Conyers, GA 30094 |
| Step One Health Agency | 5950 Veterans Parkway Columbus, GA 31909 |
| Tender Care Training Center | 1755 Gordon Hwy E, Augusta, GA 30904 |
| University of North Georgia | 3820 Mundy Mill Road Oakwood, GA 30566 |
| Village Samaritan Training | 4 Forest Circle Newnan, GA 30265 |
| Village Samaritan Training Institute | 911 S Park Suite A Street, South Park Street Carrollton, GA 30117 |
| Virginia College in Macon | 1901 Paul Walsh Drive Macon, GA 31206 |
| Woodruff Medical Training and Testing School | 1927 Lakeside Parkway Tucker, GA 30084 |
EKG Technician Certification in Georgia
Before you can get an EKG tech certification, you have to pass an exam.
To do this, you have to first send in some documents.
The papers need to include the diploma you got when you finished the training program.
You can also send in official school transcripts.
If you haven’t attended a training program, you need 1 year of work experience in the past 3 years.
Another requirement is completing 10 EKGs.
The tests you have to pass are:
- ASPT – Electrocardiograph (EKG) Technician exam
- NHA Certified EKG Technician exam
- ASET
After you pass the tests, you will be issued a national EKG tech certification.
The national EKG tech certification also needs renewal so you can keep working.
To get it renewed, you will need to attend some additional hours of education.
EKG Technician Employment and Salary in Georgia
After you are issued the national EKG certification, you can find a job in any of the following facilities:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Physician’s offices
- Various other healthcare facilities
Your workplace will determine your schedule which can be demanding.
You should be prepared to work on the weekends or on the night shifts.
The salaries vary and depend on your experience in the field as well as where you live.
You will earn a higher salary if you live in a bigger area compared to smaller ones.
Below, you can check the average salaries for EKG techs in the 10 largest areas regions in Georgia.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of EKG Technicians in Georgia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | $38,800 |
| Augusta | $36,800 |
| Columbus | $35,700 |
| Macon | $36,600 |
| Savannah | $36,900 |
| Athens | $38,600 |
| Roswell | $38,700 |
| Warner Robins | $36,500 |
| Albany | $36,100 |
| Alpharetta | $38,600 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 60 | $57,190 | $27.49 | $84,180 | $32,410 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,570 | $74,100 | $35.63 | $107,420 | $39,210 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 200 | $67,670 | $32.53 | $96,310 | $36,720 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 70 | $60,300 | $28.99 | $80,410 | $35,220 |
| Dalton, GA | 30 | $61,700 | $29.66 | $94,140 | $30,730 |
| Macon, GA | 140 | $61,710 | $29.67 | $91,150 | $31,770 |
| Rome, GA | 60 | $62,360 | $29.98 | $96,310 | $30,860 |
| Savannah, GA | 80 | $73,240 | $35.21 | $98,720 | $32,420 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 70 | $54,030 | $25.98 | $81,210 | $33,010 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for EKG Technicians in Georgia
You are required to pay $150 to get an ASET certification.
The fee includes:
- Full study guide
- Unlimited practice exams,
- 3 final certification exam attempts
- A professional resume revision
This can be done online, except for the practical training which should be completed in person.
Becoming a Certified EKG Instructor (CEI)
Another idea is applying to become a Certified EKG Instructor (CEIs) through the American Society of EKG Technicians.
To receive this certification, you are required to have 5 years of experience.
You can mail your application online along with a background check.
